Slain 'Lashkar commander' was a civilian; army orders probe

Security forces killed a man in an alleged staged gunfight at Surankote in J&K’s Poonch district in what was reported to be a 12-hour gunbattle on August 6.

The man, who the forces said was Lashkar-e-Taiba divisional commander Abu Usman from Pakistan, was found to be a mentally challenged Hindu civilian from Rajouri.

Special police officer Noor Hussain and Territorial Army jawan Abdul Majeed have been arrested for murder.

Chief minister Omar Abdullah said the two men had misled the army and the police. The army has ordered a probe.

Police began to investigate the gunfight after locals refused to bury the body, saying the deceased was not a Muslim since he was not circumcised.

It was found that Hussain, who was on a contractual appointment, wanted a permanent post. He joined hands with Majeed, who wanted monetary reward, said Senior Superintendent of Police Ashkoor Wani.

On August 4, they picked up the man from Rajouri’s Gujjar Mandi and informed seniors they had sighted terrorists in Marhote area. Denying army’s involvement, Maj Gen GS Shergill, GOC, Romeo Force, said the duo was ahead of the search party and shot the man before others arrived.